Hachiman's POV
The press corps gathered before me surely have a million things running through their heads—and the people watching behind their screens probably have even more. The fans up in Hokkaido are likely weeping with joy, while the crowds in Tokyo are undoubtedly grumbling in discontent.
But honestly? That isn't my problem, nor is it the URA's. People might try to pin the blame on us, but my retort is already locked and loaded:
"Oh? Would you have preferred we extended the spectator ban until June? Because I'd be more than happy to withdraw the request Rice and I made."
That usually shuts them up. Honestly, I'd love nothing more than to publicly expose the people who sent those hateful letters to our office, but if I stooped to that, I'd be no better than them. And that is a line I refuse to cross.
"I will keep my word," Speed Symboli announced, her voice cutting through the room. "Spectators will be allowed back at Central races once the second week of June concludes. However, let me make this clear: if there is even a one-in-a-billion chance that we hear a repeat of the recent disturbances at any racecourse, we will enforce this measure again. Consider this a warning. Next time, a month and a half will seem like a mercy."
"Does that mean… you would implement an even longer ban than this one?" the moderator asked, visibly sweating.
"Interpret it however you wish," Speed replied coolly. "But I will say this: it would be wise for everyone to think very carefully before acting on impulse or speaking out of turn."
"...Thank you."
Speed Symboli was drawing a line in the sand. I'm sure every soul in the country felt the weight of it. She was telling them that if they repeated the cruelty of the Tenno Sho, the punishment would be far more severe. Even the most dense person in the room couldn't have missed the edge in her voice.
"Next," the moderator continued, "we will hear from the trainer at the Japan Uma Musume Training Center Academy, Hachiman Hikigaya."
"Thank you," I said, stepping forward. "I'm Hikigaya, a trainer with the Central Academy. I'm here today to make a formal announcement regarding the future of my trainee… specifically, Rice Shower's next race."
Up until recently, I'd kept Rice's schedule strictly under wraps. But finally, we've reached a decision—and I owe that entirely to Sweet-san.
"Rice Shower's next race," the moderator prompted. "I assume we're talking about the spring Grand Prix—the Takarazuka Kinen?"
"No. It isn't," I replied. "Rice Shower is still recovering from the toll the Tenno Sho took on her; she isn't in peak condition yet. Therefore, she will not be entering the Takarazuka Kinen. Her next race will be…"
I let the silence hang, feeling the anticipation in the room thicken.
"…the Prix de Royallieu. A long-distance race held at the Paris-Longchamp Racecourse in France, far to the west of here."
The room erupted into a low roar of murmurs. It made sense. Typically, a girl in her position would aim for the Takarazuka Kinen, the Meguro Kinen, or perhaps the Sapporo Kinen in the summer. Going overseas was a total abandonment of the standard playbook.
"Wh—Why an overseas campaign?!" the moderator stammered, leaning forward. "Could you explain the reasoning behind such a drastic decision?"
"As I mentioned, the primary reason is her condition," I explained calmly. "Entering the Takarazuka Kinen now would yield nothing. The training load we endured leading up to the Tenno Sho was immense. It was a choice my trainee and I made together, and I have no regrets, but chasing immediate results without considering her physical and mental health would be self-defeating. June and July will be her recovery phase. August and September will be for rebuilding and adjustment, leading into the race in October."
"But surely… couldn't that recovery happen here in Japan?"
"We considered that, of course," I said. "Focusing on domestic races was an option. But I believe this: on a long-distance stage, Rice Shower is world-class. I'll be blunt—while she has the aptitude for middle distance, it isn't where she is most certain to dominate. Aside from the Satsuki Sho, her middle-distance wins haven't allowed her to display her true potential."
I knew I was being a bit hyperbolic for the sake of the narrative, but I pushed on.
"At long distances, however, Rice can exert her full power. The proof is her victory over Mejiro McQueen at the Tenno Sho. As I told her and the team: if McQueen is an elite all-rounder who can handle both middle and long distances with grace, Rice Shower is a long-distance specialist who can run middle distance. There aren't many long-distance opportunities left in the domestic calendar until autumn. We will use this time to prepare her thoroughly, so she is perfectly polished for France."
This was the best way to raise Rice's "stock." Even a strong showing abroad would change the narrative. It would make the public realize that McQueen didn't just lose—she lost to a world-class stayer. Not that I'll ever truly forgive the people who spat venom at her, though.
"So, has Rice Shower's adjustment period already begun?" the moderator asked.
"It has. Right now, we're focusing on getting her back to her baseline. No high-intensity work yet. Like I said—this is her time to heal."
The questions kept coming after that, and I answered them one by one. It was a long, grueling session, but the press conference ended without any major incidents. For now, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Rice Shower's next race: The Prix de Royallieu at Paris-Longchamp this October.
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